Cover image: still from THE BAD GUY
Actor Bio
Kirsten is a professional actor who has performed in theatres across the country, equally adept at dramatic and comedic roles. She has acted in more than fifty plays and musicals, as well as in film and television, voice over and radio. She is represented by Jodi Caplan at Lucas Talent (Vancouver).
Theatre credits include IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO PLAY (Chemainus Theatre Festival); THE HOUSE AT POOH CORNER, THE GIVER, THE SECRET GARDEN (2014 & 2017), HANA'S SUITCASE, ANIMAL FARM, LITTLE WOMEN, TWELFTH NIGHT (all Kaleidoscope Theatre), BLACKSTONES & BATHTUBS (Razzle Dazzle); SIDESHOW CARNIES, SMALLTOWN A PICKUP MUSICAL (Theatre Skam); ALLEYCATS THE MUSICAL (Hoarse Raven/Ovation Nomination Outstanding Female Performance), THE BUZ'GEM BLUES (Lighthouse Festival), QUIET IN THE LAND (Blyth Festival); LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Lindsay), ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Stage Polaris); nine musical cabarets with GOTTA GETTA GIMMICK. See theatre resume for full credits.
Live dance productions P&P SPRING SHOWCASE (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022), DREAMLAND (2025) 70's THEME SHOW (2024), TOYLAND (2023), SUMMER HOTNESS SHOW (2023) GALAXY GALA (2022), CANDY CANE CABARETS (2024, 2022, 2021, 2019) , CARNIVAL OF TERRORS (2022), THE UNDERWORLD (2021).
TV/Film roles include REBOOT THE GUARDIAN CODE (YTV), THE GAME OF LOVE (UP-TV), THE BRIDGE (Hallmark), SO YOU SAID YES (Hallmark), MARK & RUSSELL'S WILD RIDE (Disney), STRANGER IN THE HOUSE, (LIFETIME), SHE KILLS ME (APTN); as well as the lead role in THE BAD GUY, featured roles in ELIZA, ALICE in WONDERLAND ( P&P dance films); and indie short thriller ROADKILL. Profile on IMDB
She has acted in numerous new play workshops & premieres (Belfry Theatre, Theatre One, Gateway Theatre, Theatre Network, Lighthouse Theatre Festival, Citadel, Theatre One, York University) working with Canadian theatre luminaries Janet Amos, Drew Hayden Taylor, Stewart Lemoine, David Gow, David Mann, Kelly Handerek, Stephen Heatley, Anne Chislett, Rex Harrington, David Fox, Paul Soles and more.
Kirsten has created and performed several one-woman shows, including ALL MY DAY JOBS, PETUNIA IN PERIL, and THE KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW. Kirsten also directs for the theatre, writes and produces for the stage and screen, and enjoys teaching improv, standup and acting in her spare time. She is a member of Canadian Actors' Equity Association and ACTRA/UBCP.
Kirsten is a professional actor who has performed in theatres across the country, equally adept at dramatic and comedic roles. She has acted in more than fifty plays and musicals, as well as in film and television, voice over and radio. She is represented by Jodi Caplan at Lucas Talent (Vancouver).
Theatre credits include IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO PLAY (Chemainus Theatre Festival); THE HOUSE AT POOH CORNER, THE GIVER, THE SECRET GARDEN (2014 & 2017), HANA'S SUITCASE, ANIMAL FARM, LITTLE WOMEN, TWELFTH NIGHT (all Kaleidoscope Theatre), BLACKSTONES & BATHTUBS (Razzle Dazzle); SIDESHOW CARNIES, SMALLTOWN A PICKUP MUSICAL (Theatre Skam); ALLEYCATS THE MUSICAL (Hoarse Raven/Ovation Nomination Outstanding Female Performance), THE BUZ'GEM BLUES (Lighthouse Festival), QUIET IN THE LAND (Blyth Festival); LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Lindsay), ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Stage Polaris); nine musical cabarets with GOTTA GETTA GIMMICK. See theatre resume for full credits.
Live dance productions P&P SPRING SHOWCASE (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022), DREAMLAND (2025) 70's THEME SHOW (2024), TOYLAND (2023), SUMMER HOTNESS SHOW (2023) GALAXY GALA (2022), CANDY CANE CABARETS (2024, 2022, 2021, 2019) , CARNIVAL OF TERRORS (2022), THE UNDERWORLD (2021).
TV/Film roles include REBOOT THE GUARDIAN CODE (YTV), THE GAME OF LOVE (UP-TV), THE BRIDGE (Hallmark), SO YOU SAID YES (Hallmark), MARK & RUSSELL'S WILD RIDE (Disney), STRANGER IN THE HOUSE, (LIFETIME), SHE KILLS ME (APTN); as well as the lead role in THE BAD GUY, featured roles in ELIZA, ALICE in WONDERLAND ( P&P dance films); and indie short thriller ROADKILL. Profile on IMDB
She has acted in numerous new play workshops & premieres (Belfry Theatre, Theatre One, Gateway Theatre, Theatre Network, Lighthouse Theatre Festival, Citadel, Theatre One, York University) working with Canadian theatre luminaries Janet Amos, Drew Hayden Taylor, Stewart Lemoine, David Gow, David Mann, Kelly Handerek, Stephen Heatley, Anne Chislett, Rex Harrington, David Fox, Paul Soles and more.
Kirsten has created and performed several one-woman shows, including ALL MY DAY JOBS, PETUNIA IN PERIL, and THE KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW. Kirsten also directs for the theatre, writes and produces for the stage and screen, and enjoys teaching improv, standup and acting in her spare time. She is a member of Canadian Actors' Equity Association and ACTRA/UBCP.
ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE: RADIO PLAY Chemainus Theatre Festival Cast photo (L - R) Kaden Forsberg, Kate Dillon-Richard, Joel Stephenson, Kirsten, Scott Carmichael, Abe Atess, Jalisa Gonie (ASM), Jessica Schact (SM) Directed by Mark Dumez, costumes by Michelle Lieffertz.
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Award Nominations
Entertainer Category: "Gold" Award Winner 2024, 2023 Community Votes Victoria. "Top Comedian" 2014 M Award Nomination "Outstanding Performance: Female" Ovation Awards Nomination 'Estelle' in ALLEYCATS THE MUSICAL "Best Solo Comedy Artist" (tied Julia Sweeney) Best of Theatre NO HO LA THE KIRSTEN VAN RITZEN SHOW "Best Director" ACT-CO Nomination FALLEN ANGELS Actor in: "Top Improv/Sketch show" 2014 M Award Nomination SIN CITY: BEDLAM-BY-SEA/KINGDOM OF THRONES "Favourite New Production" 2011 M Award Nomination SIN CITY: CARNIES "Best Horror Short" Award Pollygrind Las Vegas Film Festival SUNDAY'S CHILD "Best Improv show" Canadian Comedy Award nomination SIN CITY: RADIOLAND "Outstanding Production Theatre for Young Audiences" Sterling Award ANNE OF GREEN GABLES "Outstanding Production Theatre for Young Audiences" Sterling Award THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POLE "Outstanding Production by an Independent" "Outstanding New Play" Sterling Nominations NAMING THE ANIMALS "Outstanding New Play" Sterling Nomination THE DAUGHTERS OF JUDY LA MARSH Lyricist/actor: "Outstanding Musical Direction" Sterling Nomination SPRING THAW Director of: "Best Comedy Production", "Best Supporting Actress", "Best Set Design" Act-Co nominations; Jury Award Physical Comedy Style FALLEN ANGELS | ||
